Chicken hearts are an underrated and often overlooked cut of meat But when prepared properly, they can be absolutely delicious! Chicken hearts have a unique texture that’s tender yet slightly chewy. Their flavor is milder than beef heart but more pronounced than chicken breast
Cooking chicken hearts may seem intimidating if you’ve never done it before But it’s actually quite easy once you know the basics In this guide, I’ll share tips and techniques for preparing chicken hearts so they come out tender and juicy every time.
Buying Chicken Hearts
Chicken hearts can be difficult to find at regular grocery stores. Your best bet is to check at a butcher shop, ethnic markets like Hispanic or Asian stores, or order them online.
When buying chicken hearts, look for hearts that are uniform in size and color. Avoid any with discoloration or a strong odor. Plan on about 1/2 pound of hearts per person.
Prepping Chicken Hearts
Rinse the hearts under cold water and pat them dry Trim off any excess fat or arteries, The hearts can then be seasoned or marinated as desired
I like to season them simply with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and a bit of oil. But feel free to get creative with the seasoning! Cajun seasoning, lemon-herb, or Mexican dry rubs also work well.
Marinating the hearts for 30 minutes up to overnight will infuse them with more flavor. Yogurt or buttermilk marinades help tenderize while wet marinades like wine or citrus add lots of flavor.
Cooking Methods for Chicken Hearts
Chicken hearts cook very quickly, usually in 5 minutes or less. Be careful not to overcook them or they can become tough. Here are some of the best cooking methods:
Pan-Frying: This is one of the quickest and easiest ways to cook chicken hearts. Heat 1-2 Tbsp oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the hearts in a single layer and fry for 2-4 minutes per side until browned.
Grilling: Chicken hearts are perfect for grilling. Grill over direct high heat for just 2-3 minutes per side. The high heat gives them a nice char. Baste with a sauce glaze the last few minutes if desired.
Baking: Bake chicken hearts at 400°F for 12-15 minutes, until cooked through. Bake on a sheet pan lined with parchment. Baste them with oil or sauce halfway through.
Air Frying: Air fry at 380°F, shaking the basket halfway, for about 8 minutes until the outsides are crispy. Spritz with oil and season the hearts before air frying.
Slow Cooker: Add seasoned hearts to a slow cooker with 1 cup broth or sauce. Cook on low for 3-4 hours until very tender. Works great for larger batches.
Stewing: Simmer chicken hearts with vegetables and seasonings in a sauce or broth for 5-10 minutes until cooked through. Tomato-based stews work very well with hearts.
Serving Suggestions
Chicken hearts pair well with many flavors. Here are some tasty ways to serve up cooked chicken hearts:
- On skewers as an appetizer
- In stir fries or curry dishes
- Tacos or fajitas with lots of spice
- Added to pasta bolognese or lasagna
- On top of salad greens and grains
- Mixed into rice pilaf or stuffing
- Served over creamy mashed potatoes
- With roasted veggies like cauliflower or broccoli
- Over pasta tossed in tomato sauce or pesto
- In hearty soups, stews, or chilis
Chicken hearts are very versatile. Play around with different seasonings and cuisines to find your favorite ways to eat them!
Common Questions About Cooking Chicken Hearts
If you’re new to working with chicken hearts, you probably have some questions. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.
How do you know when chicken hearts are done? The hearts are fully cooked when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. When pan-fried or grilled, they will be browned on the outside and slightly firm but still tender inside.
Can you eat chicken hearts rare? Chicken hearts should always be cooked to 165°F for food safety. Do not eat them rare or medium-rare like beef.
Do the hearts need to be tenderized? Not usually, the hearts are naturally tender, especially when cooked quickly at high heat. But marinating does help ensure tenderness.
Is there a strong chicken heart taste? The flavor is a bit stronger than chicken breast but milder than liver or other organ meats. The flavor pairs well with lots of seasoning and sauces.
Can chicken hearts be frozen? Yes, freeze raw hearts for 2-3 months. Thaw in the fridge before cooking. Cooked hearts can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Should arteries be removed? It’s not required but helps improve the texture. Use kitchen shears or a sharp knife to trim away any visible arteries or tough connective tissue.
Tips for the Best Chicken Hearts
Follow these tips and tricks for guaranteed tender, juicy chicken hearts:
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Don’t overcook them or they become rubbery and tough. Cook just until done.
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Allow 5-7 minutes total cooking time for pan-frying or grilling hearts.
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Use a meat thermometer to check doneness if unsure. 165°F is ideal.
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Marinate for added flavor and moisture – buttermilk, yogurt, citrus work great.
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Pat the hearts dry before cooking so they brown and caramelize properly.
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Cook in a single layer with space between hearts to allow browning.
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Season hearts boldly with spices, herbs, sauces to balance their richness.
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Finish with a drizzle of fresh lemon or sauce to add even more flavor.
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Allow the cooked hearts to rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.
Sample Recipe Inspiration
To get you started, here are a few of my favorite chicken heart recipes to try:
Pan-Fried Chicken Hearts – Seasoned with paprika, garlic, and cumin then fried until crisp.
Balsamic Glazed Chicken Hearts – Grilled and brushed with a balsamic, honey, mustard glaze.
Jerk Chicken Heart Kebabs – Jerk spiced and grilled on skewers with peppers and onion.
Chicken Heart Coconut Curry – Simmered in a homemade red curry coconut sauce.
Buffalo Chicken Heart Tacos – Fried hearts tossed in buffalo hot sauce and stuffed in tacos.
Chicken Heart Bourguignon – Braised slowly in red wine with mushrooms and bacon.
Things You’ll Need
- Skillet
- Large glass bowl
- Tongs
- Gas stove
- Charcoal grill
- Skewers
- Scissors or sharp knife
StepsMethod
- 1 Combine olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper to create a simple marinade. Use about 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil, 1 clove of minced garlic, 1 pinch of salt and pepper to make this marinade. This is a really quick and easy marinade but you can get as creative as you like here to really explore different flavors.[1] Some possible ingredients to mix in are:[2]
- Chipotle peppers
- Onions
- Paprika
- Cayenne pepper
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2 Put your chicken hearts into the marinade for 30 minutes. Store in the refrigerator while the hearts are marinating but when they are about to be cooked, the hearts should be close to room temperature and never frozen. Marinades allow flavors to develop and will also help to make the meat more tender.[3] [4]
- The length of time you marinate your hearts for can be as little as 10 minutes all the way up to several hours. The longer you marinate your hearts for, the more intense the flavor of the marinade will be.
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- 3 Heat 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of vegetable oil over high heat in a skillet. Use a vegetable oil here rather than olive oil, as olive oil has a lower smoking point and youre cooking over a fairly high heat. Nonstick skillets work best for frying chicken hearts.[5]
- It will take around 2-3 minutes for your oil to get up to temperature.
- 4 Place the hearts into the hot skillet to brown them quickly. There should be a nice sizzle when the hearts make contact with the pan. If you don’t hear this sizzle, don’t put the hearts in the pan as this means the oil is not hot enough.
- When the oil isn’t hot enough, it means your meat isn’t getting a brown sear on the outside. Without this sear, the caramelization and browning of the outer layer will not occur.[6]
- 5 Cook the hearts for 7-10 minutes after the initial browning. Make sure you stir frequently to ensure the meat is getting cooked on all sides. It also helps to cover the pan when not stirring to help lock in some of the heat from the skillet.[7] [8]
- Chicken hearts cook really quickly and can be quite tough if cooked past medium rare.
- 6 Serve the hearts once the hearts are cooked all the way through. To check if the hearts are cooked through, slice one open and it should be a soft pink in the middle. Let sit for a minute or two as they will be hot. Enjoy with salad, sauteed vegetables, or all on their own!
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